Amid growing concerns over the sale of “expired and fake food” at foreign-owned convenient shops which allegedly led to the death of several children in Gauteng, the eThekwini Municipality is cracking down on local spaza shops.
Almost eight spaza shops suspected of selling expired food products were raided by the police last week on Friday, 17 November. Two of the eight shops received a warning for operating without a valid permit.
The joint operation between Metro Police and health inspectors from the eThekwini Municipality started last Friday afternoon. Among the items that were found, in some spaza shops, with expired dates were cooking oil, baby food and facial cream products.
These items were confiscated by the police. Ward 60 Councillor, Fakazi Mdletshe, urged members of the public to always check the expiry date on food products before paying for them.
“The operation aims to keep the community safe and make sure that business owners are compliant with the bylaws. Two shop owners were issued with a warning for operating without valid licenses. Law enforcement and eThekwini will continue to roll-out such operations throughout the Verulam CBD. Those business owners who are not compliant with the bylaws will be dealt with accordingly,” said Cllr Mdletshe.
According to municipality, tuckshop owners found to be non-compliant with food and safety standards will receive a hefty fine. The operation was also conducted in neighbouring Bhambayi near Phoenix.
The joint operation between Metro Police, city health inspectors, SAPS, eThekwini Fire Department and Public Works Department confiscated expired food items from various shops in Bhambayi and surrounding areas.
There has been a spike in suspected food poisoning across the country in recent weeks, with reports that at least two children died after allegedly consuming expired polony and medication.
In the first incident in eThekwini, a child from KwaMashu died after allegedly consuming expired polony. Another child, from Mthwalume in south of Durban died allegedly after taking an expired headache tablet.
City officials and the KZN Department of Health vowed to roll-out more operations in spaza shops suspected to be selling expired food products. The city urged businesses to adhere to the bylaws to ensure the safety and well-being of customers.
